Who is Welcome at Southwind??

Did you know Southwind Farm is unique in that we are not a one-discipline farm? What about the fact that outside trainers are welcome to come teach their students and others? So, who exactly is welcome at Southwind?

• All breeds of horses
• All ages of horses
• All disciplines
• Outside trainers
• Outside veterinarians 
• Outside blacksmiths
• All types of equestrians are welcome in the Southwind Farm family!

Here at Southwind we have always emphasized a relaxed atmosphere that is essential to every horse’s well-being regardless of discipline! So what are you waiting for?

To find out more and our current rates, please visit our website: www.southwindfarminc.com or email Sheri at: sherithornley@msn.com

Ride Inside This Winter

Okay we can admit it, the recent mild temps for January have been wonderful! But don't let them fool you into thinking we aren't still going to have a winter. Colder temps and snow are likely to return so why chance it when you can ride inside this year?  Come join us at Southwind farm where you can utilize our indoor arena all winter long! Email sherithornley@msn.com for more information. 

Tips to Winterize Around the Barn

Winter brings a lot of bad weather but it doesn't have to mean poor horse care! Everyone around the farm works very hard each year in preparation for winter to ensure all of the horses get the very best care over the winter months. Because keeping horses and boarders happy and healthy is our #1 priority. Having an awesome indoor arena to ride year-round through the winter months is just a bonus here at Southwind! Learn more about boarding at www.southwindfarminc.com today!

Here are a few tips to winterize around the barn from an article from Debbie RAMM with RAMM fence:

• Safer Stalls Prevent Injuries. Check all of your stall walls to be sure that there are no protruding nails, sharp edges or worn feeders that could result in an injury. Replace any old wood and be sure your stalls are free from split, chewed, and uneven boards. Holes in stall walls or any open spaces can turn into a place for a potential injury from a kick or a curious nose.

• Ventilation is a Key to Better Health. Horse Barns need to have good ventilation so that your horses stay healthy. You can offer natural ventilation  through windows in your horse's stall. Hinged, grilled, or mesh doors allow you to open, close and clean your windows and sills while protecting your horse from the actual window.Additionally, mucking your stalls regularly will keep the build up of ammonia at bay.

• Save Both Time and Money with Stall Mats. Some of the benefits include using less bedding, keeping a level surface for your horse which also allows for easier and more efficient cleaning.

• Never Guess if Your Horse Has Enough Water. We all know that water is very important for our horses any time of the year and especially in cold months. Water not only hydrates, but also helps to keep horses warm in colder weather.  

• Store Up On Bedding.

Happy New Year 2020!

As another year comes to a close we want to thank the wonderful group of people who make up our Southwind boarding community for another great year at the farm! We have high hopes for 2020 and can't wait to see what the new year brings. If you are looking for a fresh start for your horse, consider making the move to Southwind in the new year. Learn more at the link below!

www.southwindfarminc.com

Merry Christmas from Southwind Farm!

As another holiday approaches, our Southwind Farm family sends you and your loved ones our warmest wishes. May you find the true spirit of the season and may it fill your heart with joy this year! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at Southwind Farm!

www.southwindfarminc.com

Calling All Boarders! Get a fresh start in 2020 at Southwind Farm!

Calling all horse owners!

If you have been on the fence or thinking about making a boarding change for your horse(s), now is the time! The new year is right around the corner and Southwind is currently accepting stall boarders for the upcoming year. Come join a barn family with outstanding care and a welcoming environment. Horses of all ages and breeds are welcome and you won't find a more conveniently-located barn in Montgomery County with easy access to bordering counties.

To learn more about the Southwind's values and our standard of care visit: www.southwindfarminc.com or reach out to Sheri Thornley at  sherithornley@msn.com today!

Steps to Winterize Your Trailer

"It’s that time of year when we all start to ask ourselves, “how can it already be this time of year?!” Whether you spend the warmer months camping, attending horse shows and events, or both, it can feel like every winter arrives sooner than the last. Before you know it, the leaves are falling, temperatures and dropping, and it’s time to pack up the trailer for the season (HorsesDaily)." If you own a horse trailer and are slowing down for the season, now might be a good time to clean, organize or prep your trailer for the colder months ahead.

If you are looking for an indoor to ride in this winter even during bad weather months, come board with us at Southwind! www.southwindfarminc.com 

Here are a few tips from Horses Daily to winterize your trailer:

-'Clean it inside and out! If the weather is still warm enough or you have access to hot water, it is a good idea to give your trailer a thorough cleaning before prepping it for winter storage.'

-Learn how to manually override your brake controller.
'It’s crucial to get familiar with your tow vehicle’s brake controller, no matter the season! The brake controller sits in your tow vehicle, and powers the trailer brakes whenever you press your foot on the brake pedal. If you haven’t already, read your brake controller manual and learn how to test your brake controller’s functionality.'

-Get antifreeze service for trailer living quarters
'For RVs, travel trailers, or any other trailer with living quarters, a professional can run antifreeze through the water pipes to protect them from cold temperatures. This method to winterize a trailer generally involves hooking up a bypass line to avoid the hot water heater, draining moisture from all valves in the trailer, as well as other technical processes. It can be done once at the beginning of winter.'

-Cover your trailer and park it off grass
'Your trailer is clean, drained, and winterized. Now you just need to store it safely for the season. First, covering your trailer will protect it from the elements–but as we’ve discussed before, not any old trailer cover will do, especially for horse trailers. Standard horse trailer covers are generally manufactured too short so they leave tires, bearings, and fenders exposed. Instead, buy an RV trailer cover to protect your trailer from its tires to its roof. Find them online and order based on your trailer’s dimensions.'

'Second, avoid parking your trailer on grass. Grass traps moisture and pests, which can wreak havoc over the course of the winter. Look for a gravel, asphalt, or concrete parking spot. If you can’t find one, put wood planks over grass to park the trailer on (Horsedaily.com)."